Will BR learn anything from Madrid game?

Right, so let's get this outa the way. I feared the worst yesterday; a hammering. And when i saw the team, that was compounded. I really thought we'd be fooked! Then someone asked why people were moaning, we'd lambasted the performances of Gerrard, Johnson and Lovren all season....and when they were out, we moaned more!! How right they were.

Now to the game. Yesterday was good. We simply looked like a team missing our two best strikers from last year. Toure was immense compared to the shambles that is Lovren, Our midfield looked mobile and fluid and surely Johnson should never get a game again??

Will BR take anything out of this and bring it to the first team? If he doesn't, then he will deserve everything that comes his way. If he does, then the season may well start to turn. The suspense is killing me!!

 

we all know it will be straight back to what hasn't been working.

hope we see some changes at least, was a shame gerrard didn't come on for that free kick. we could have sneaked a draw

 

Defensively he has to pick that team Saturday, what more of a case can be given than only conceding one goal against the European Champions?

 

i can give you one that brendan may use ( not that i agree with it) we have changed our defensive setup ie seems to be everyone man marking apart from 2 cb that have been told to follow the ball in 6yrd area, brendan could argue its that that is working and he has better players than them ie lovren etc who should start.

 

It won't make a difference without the same type of midfield protecting it.

 

I hope he learns that some times changing the team around can make a big difference.

Also that we play better with a proper DM (Lucas).

 

It was a really good solid defensive display from the lads, unlocked by a moment of quality.

Rodgers should have realised that Johnson, Lovren and Gerrard are a defensive mess and add to nothing to the team.

Was really happy for Kolo - I've wanted him back into the first team because he's the only one who can lead and organise. And you can tell that Migs and Skrtel looked more comfortable and composed with him there.

 

I'd replace Allen for Hendo and have two box to box midfielders work hard. Chelsea are all about strength with having the skill of Fabregas and Hazard to supply the striker, we work hard against them and shut them down, we have a chance.

 

I said somewhere else that last night could prove to be a watershed

 

At their gaff

 

Let's hope it's the right type of watershed! Change nothing and he's fecking clueless

 

well.... there's more to it than one game. I think consistency is key.

 

Toure benefitted from hardly having to leave his own area last night. I know he went on that one run but generally your defence played on the backfoot and had a midfield that was working hard to protect them. It reminds me of the performances of Kaboul at the Emirates and Gallas at Old Trafford a few seasons. In both cases they shone in a game where we sat deep and defended well but both were still poor in other games where the onus was on us to attack, which meant they were pushing up more and had less protection. Maybe it won't happen with Toure but I'd certainly be wary of it,

I think the main thing to take away from the game is that your midfield worked hard and did very well. Surely Sterling would be able to slot right into that set up but Gerrard doesn't give you the defensive work that even players like Lallana and Markovic offered. It's a difficult choice for Rodgers this weekend as you're at home and if you play defensively against Chelsea and lose there will surely be more criticism on him but at the same time it does feel like your best chance to get something out of the game and the way Chelsea have started I think every team in the league would consider a point against Chelsea a good result.

 

That yout a far better side without gerrard.

 

the same amount as the 'first team' conceded against Newcastle

See my Newcastle comment

 

I hope he learns to be brave. That team last night worked harder than any combination he's had out so far.

..... Oh and ignore the pundits!

 

This is a very fair assessment. Would be ironic if we parked the bus against Chelsea at Anfield at the weekend.

 

I hope you beat them, I really do. you guys might be a side that we're trying to finish above but I don't want to see Chelsea run away with the league and at this rate they will.

 

PS..sorry

 

It's true though, if we're going to improve on last season we're going to have to finish above at least one of yourselves, United, Arsenal, Chelsea and City. City and Chelsea clearly won't happen but at least the other 3 are plausible if we have a good season.